HAIL TO THE CHAMPIONS — STANFORD’S BRADLEY KLAHN AND RYAN THACHER

Written by: Staff on 5th March 2012

HAIL TO THE CHAMPIONS -- STANFORD’S BRADLEY KLAHN AND RYAN THACHER |

Stanford’s dominant lefty duo of Bradley Klahn and Ryan Thacher not only captured their second straight Pacific Coast Men’s Doubles title on Sunday afternoon, but they did so without losing a set – for the second straight year.

Klahn and Thacher, both seniors, scored a 6-4, 6-4 win over the independent team of Kris Kwinta of Poland and John Peers of Australia in the final. With the victory, Klahn and Thacher become the first team in over 20 years to capture back-to-back titles at the historic tournament, played at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club.

“With such a deep field, we tried not to get too caught up with the idea that we were defending our title,” said Klahn, a resident of Poway, Calif. “But we just got better as the tournament went on. By the end, we really jelled together.”

Although both players are scheduled to graduate later this month from Stanford, they intend to compete for the Cardinal through the NCAA season. They have already agreed that they will turn professional by early summer, thus extending their doubles partnership that dates back to when they joined team as freshmen four years ago.

“Maybe it’s because our (left-handed) serves take a while to get used to, but our games really seem to complement each other,” said Klahn. “Whatever it is, it works for us.”

Each set was decided by a single service break. Klahn-Thacher broke serve in the initial game of the first set, and also in game 7 of the deciding set, taking a 4-3 lead.

The last team to successfully defend the Pacific Coast Men’s Doubles Championships title was Stanford’s Jared Palmer and Jonathan Stark, who won in 1990 and 1991.

For the full tournament draw, go to:

http://tennislink.usta.com/TOURNAMENTS/TournamentHome_New/Tournament.aspx?T=113637

Named “Club of the Year” for 2011 by the San Diego District Tennis Association and one of the “Top 50 Tennis Resorts in the World” by Tennis Resorts Online, the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club’s reputation as a top tennis destination started when it attracted its first major tournament – the Pacific Coast Men’s Doubles Championship in 1942.

The Annual Pacific Coast Men’s Doubles Championship is one of the five-oldest tennis events in the world and the second oldest tennis event in the United States. First held in 1890 at The Hotel Del Monte in Monterey, California, the event was created to promote the sale of real estate on the Monterey peninsula. The original concept pitted the best players from the East versus those from the West. This coast-to-coast rivalry was the inspiration for the Davis Cup. Past winners of the Pacific Coast Men’s Doubles Championship include Jack Kramer, Ted Schroeder, Bobby Riggs, Pancho Segura, Don Budge, Tony Trabert, Stan Smith, Bob Lutz, Arthur Ashe, Dennis Ralston, John McEnroe, and many other world-class champions.

Boasting a long legacy within the tennis community, the Club offers a full range of lessons, clinics, camps and services by their Tennis Staff, including Director of Tennis Conan Lorenzo and a variety of experienced United States Professional Tennis Association pros.

For more information please visit www.LJBTC.com. The La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club will also be hosting the USTA National Hard Court Championships for Women’s 50-90 age groups and the club’s 40th Annual Spring Senior Championships for Men’s 60-85 age groups on Monday, May 14, through Sunday, May 20.